Altmire's vote does not tell whole tale

Thursday

Under cover of night on Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill (HR 1) that wages the biggest assault on our air and water in recent history.

The bill cuts the Environment Protection Agency's budget by the largest percentage in 30 years, making it impossible for EPA to safeguard the air we breathe and the water we drink.

While I appreciate that U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire voted - along with his party - against the final bill, it must not be forgotten that Altmire supported many outrageous anti-environmental amendments to the bill that made it even worse.

Altmire voted to block EPA efforts to protect our health from cement-making facilities that spew toxic mercury pollution into our air and water and coal-fired power plants that launch dangerous carbon pollution into our atmosphere. These pollutants pose significant threats to Pennsylvanians' health and environment.

It is now up to U.S. Sen. Robert Casey and President Barack Obama to defend our fundamental right to clean air and water by defeating this atrocious proposal.

Adam Garber

Field Director

PennEnvironment

Philadelphia

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